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Realm Of The Polar Bear in Depth - M/v Polar Pioneer

This Spitsbergen odyssey reveals the diversity of this island archipelago and takes us into the kingdom of the polar bear. You'll explore the coastline, with no open sea crossings, against a backdrop of spectacular glacier-covered peaks and discover deep fjords in the west, mysterious, fossil-rich desert plains in the east and best of all, seals and whales in the Arctic pack ice. This voyage offers the best chance for seeing reindeer and polar bears, and features wildflower walks across sweeping tundra, trapper camps and historical remains of whaling stations.

Tour Highlights

See the King of the Arctic, the mighty polar bear

Visit the bird cliffs of Alkfejellet, where thousands of Brunnich's guillemots swirl around

See walruses lounging around and seals on ice floes - great for photographs

Take excursions in Zodiacs, to get off the boat and on shore in the Arctic

Travel in the company of like-minded passengers on-board a friendly expedition ship

Itinerary

1

Embark at Longyearbyen

Late afternoon sees us warmly welcomed on board Polar Pioneer, settling in and enjoying our departure under the Midnight Sun.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Dinner

2

Ice Cliffs and Wildlife

Early morning reveals the spectacular aqua-blue ice cliffs of the 14th July Glacier or perhaps the Waggonway Glacier in Magdalenefjorden. Our itinerary depends on weather, snow and ice conditions, and the presence of wildlife.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

3

Ice Cliffs and Wildlife

Thanks to the nutrient-rich Gulf Stream, temperatures on the rugged west coast are relatively mild, ideal for the many Atlantic puffins and thick-billed murres that fill the cliffs. We look for bearded seals, with their precious curling whiskers. Up Kingsfjorden we may visit Ny Ålesund, a mining town turned polar research centre and at Amsterdamoya, we hike the tundra, alert for reindeer and Arctic fox. We explore remains of a 350-year-old Dutch whaling settlement and learn of an ill-fated ballooning attempt over the North Pole.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4

Spitsbergen

Beluga whales, pack ice and maybe even polar bears feature as we round Spitsbergen's northwest coast into the Arctic Ocean and turn south into Woodfjorden.

6

Spitsbergen

With 24-hour daylight, there's plenty of time to admire many of the tundra's 164 species of flowering plants, including purple saxifrage, exquisite yellow spider plants and Svalbard poppies. If ice conditions allow, we attempt to cross latitude 80° North - a cause for celebration!

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellt

Welcome to the wild side! Frigid Arctic currents sweep around Spitsbergen's northeast corner, lowering air and sea temperatures, and creating a landscape eroded by severe frost. Even in summer, pack ice could bar our way. We attempt to pass through narrow Hinlopen Strait, between Spitsbergen and austere, ice-capped Nordaustlandet, Our Russian crew and expedition staff use their considerable expertise to reach the region's highlights.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8

Hinlopen Strait and Alkefjellt

We Zodiac cruise beneath Alkefjellt, sheer basalt cliffs rising more than 250 metres, literally buzzing with some 200,000 nests of Brunnich's guillemots, possibly with Arctic fox scavenging below. On Torrellneset, we could well approach dozens of sleeping walrus. A true polar desert, the east coast offers walks among stunted glaciers, exposed fossil fields, and tundra, where we watch for Arctic fox, eider ducks and the elusive Svalbard ptarmigan. Sailing between Barentsøya and Edgeøya, we cross polar bear migration routes and may visit Sundeneset, a fertile plain covered in green mosses and delicate flowers, including the yellow marsh saxifrage.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9

South Cape

This is true expedition cruising, where plans are dictated by ice conditions and our desire to explore. If pack ice allows, we round South Cape, returning to the world of open water and rugged coastal mountains, and sail north toward Hornsund and Bellsund, deep fjords with remarkable glaciers and wildlife.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10

South Cape

If ice stops us on the east side, we adjust our itinerary, backtrack and delve deeper into the wonders of Spitsbergen's north and west coasts, including a visit to colonies where hundreds of thousands of little auks nest, darkening the sky as they commute to their fishing grounds.

Overnight: Comfortable Boat

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11

Disembark at Longyearbyen

A midnight cruise of Isfjorden returns us to Longyearbyen, the end of our spectacular voyage and a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Realm of the Polar Bear in Depth - M/V Polar Pioneer tour available at present.

Transport

Zodiac, Polar Pioneer

Accommodation

10 nights Comfortable Boat

Tour Staff

Expedition Crew, Naturalist(s)

Ship Description

Polar Pioneer is a Finnish ex-research vessel, refurbished to provide an adventurous journey in the polar regions; its ice class means it has excellent manoeuvrability. The vessel accommodates only 54 passengers, meaning more time with the experts and a friendly on-board experience. Informed crew and experts will ensure you learn about how a polar expedition runs, your unique surroundings and the wildlife; Zodiacs will take you to shore for close encounters.